McClendon fulfills dream with commitment to Georgia

When a young man has that dream school that he grew up following and dreaming to play for, a lot of fans think it is easy for a recruit to make a decision when that school offers.

That is not always the case.

In fact, many times, it is still very difficult.

In this instance, Warren McClendon grew up a huge fan of the Georgia Bulldogs, having two uncles (Willie McClendon and Tyrone McClendon) and a cousin (Bryan McClendon) play there. Bryan McClendon actually coached there too and is now the offensive coordinator at South Carolina.

That made this decision that much more difficult for the four-star offensive tackle out of Brunswick (Ga.).

"It came down to Georgia and South Carolina and it was very tough to say no to South Carolina," said McClendon. "I have two family members working there and it was not easy.

"Georgia has been my dream school for a very long time, so I have always loved Georgia and committing to them was very easy. It was stressful, but after my last visit to Georgia, I knew that was the school for me.

"I just had to take family out of the decision and Georgia was it for me. Just telling Bryan no was very hard for me."

Now that the tough call is behind him, the No. 22-ranked offensive tackle in the country is excited to call himself a Bulldog.

He knew last month that Athens would be his home come January 2019.

"When I was on my last visit to Georgia, that is when I made my decision. I told coach Smart and coach Pittman then. Coach Smart started jumping up and down, so it was very exciting.

"I felt at home and I just knew it was time to make that decision. I was there with family, I was talking a lot with the Georgia coaches and I just had that feeling. I knew my mind was made up."

During the 2017 season, if McClendon would have committed then, it would have been to the Gamecocks. But shortly after Georgia played for the National Championship, things shifted back towards the home-state school.

"As soon as the Georgia coaches hit the road again in January, that is when it kind of changed for me," said McClendon. "They came to see me as much as they could, they stayed in contact and that is when Georgia really started to make the move.

"Coach Pittman is a great coach and we have developed a great relationship. We have gotten close and with him, I feel I can really succeed at Georgia."

McClendon is able to see his name on the Georgia 2019 commitment list and he will be able to sleep much better at night. He has been going through the recruiting process for well over two years, but he is now done with it.

"Words can't really explain what it has been like going through all of this," said McClendon. "It was crazy, fun, stressful and many other things. I am just very happy about my decision and I feel great now.

"I loved South Carolina, I really did, but Georgia is the place for me. I had family play there, so I am kind of following in their path and that feels great. I am going to be a Bulldog."